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Showing posts with the label Donna Kato

Really Following Instructions

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I just took Donna Kato’s class CONTEMPORARY SQUASH BLOSSOM PENDANTS from Craftartedu.com As I was about midway through the video, I realized that this might be one of the few classes where I actually stopped the video to make the project at each step just the way it was presented.   The end result was very close to the class photo with a few exceptions to color shading.   I’m very happy with what I learned and with the piece.   While making my squash blossom, I followed the directions for mixing the colors, backing the cane slices and applying the canes, etc.   Copying a piece makes me feel uneasy and that’s why I tend to just watch the video or take classes that show a technique and turn me loose.   Could be I’m missing some of the finer points that way!   Thanks Donna Kato! After I finished the pendant, I decided to use some of the leftovers and make buttons and beads.   Sharing some with you. Buttons ready to sell! Might be my next creation!

My First Polymer Clay Buttons

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If you’ve been following me, you know I like to work in many mediums and learn new techniques.   So when I bought Donna Kato’s book, The Polymer Clay Millefiore Techniques, I knew I’d be making canes! http://www.amazon.com/The-Polymer-Clay-Millefiori-Techniques/dp/0823099180/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1340064070&sr=1-1&keywords=Donna+Kato .   I also took several classes online with craftclass.   www.craftclass.com   One day I was playing around on Facebook and joined a group of polymer clay addicts!   ‘Just Polymer Clay Tutorials’ where artists post tutorials about polymer clay for free and for pay.   I’ve downloaded several, watched a few and was sure I could do any of it!   I understood the concept. A friend and I took a trip to a quilt shop. She quilts – I don’t!   I wore my new brass/polymer bangles https://www.etsy.com/listing/102355695/classy-bangles and that got me some attention and started a conversation!   The owner showed me the polymer clay butto

Millefiori on an Ostrich Egg

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Some of my canes Books are my passion – well at least one of my passions.   When I saw Donna Kato’s book The Art of Polymer Clay Millefiori Techniques I just had to have it.   In fact, I took it to the hospital when Peter was getting his biopsy and read it cover to cover.   It is beautifully illustrated with great explanations and it made me want to try millefiori!   Millefiori is one of those words that just feel good in my mouth when I say it.   I tend to jump into new learning experiences with both feet and do a big project rather than starting small and working big.   It has always been a problem for me.   I did one needlepoint tapestry, drew my own pattern, and 10 years later finished it.   Never did another one.   My philosophy is: If I still like it after a big project, I’ll keep doing it.     The upcoming Easter holiday gave me the idea to use one of my empty ostrich eggs and cover it with polymer clay canes.   I have several of these eggshells as they are one of